8 things to know about Chinese New Year

It’s almost time to usher in Chinese New Year 2018! Also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar Festival, the traditional celebration lasts between seven to 15 days. Families gather to celebrate, feast and rejoice in the new. Here are eight things to know about this holiday celebrated by Chinese and others around the world.

Chinese New Year is about fresh starts

The holiday is also known as the Spring Festival even though it’s still technically winter, but the holiday marks the end of the coldest days. People welcome spring as a metaphor for new beginnings and fresh starts. Most traditions are about removing the old and welcoming the new, including cleaning your home, and buying new décor and clothes.

There’s no set annual date for Chinese New Year

The date for Chinese New Year changes each year, ranging from January 21 to February 20. In 2018, it occurs on February 16.

Children receive money from elders in red envelopes

Often called red pockets, children receive money in red envelopes, signifying fortune being passed from elders to the kids. Digital red pockets are trendy now as well.

Red is a lucky colour

Beyond red pockets, the colour red is considered lucky and is used widely in decorations and clothing during Chinese New Year.

There are several taboos during Chinese New Year

Things that are taboo during Chinese New Year including hair cutting, using scissors and other sharp things, arguing, swearing, saying unlucky words such as “death” and breaking things.

The Lantern Festival is considered the finale

The first full moon of the (lunar) year is known as the Lantern Festival, featuring the flying of colourful lanterns at night. It marks the final day of traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, in 2018, that’s March 2.

Every year has a zodiac animal: 2018 is the Dog

While Western horoscopes have one zodiac for each month, in Chinese tradition, there are 12 Chinese zodiacs, too, but one each for the entire year. The Dog is the 11th of all zodiac animals. Years of the Dog are: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018.

Considered honest and loyal, Dogs are true friends and reliable partners.

Lucky things for Dogs include:

Colours: green, red, purple

Numbers: 3, 4, 9

Mineral: emerald

Unlucky things are:

Colors: blue, brown

Numbers: 1, 7, 8

Chinese New Year is celebrated with community celebrations in cities across Canada

Want to celebrate the Chinese New Year in your community? Here are some local festivities

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